1116-P-2627 Fire Protection Systems Testing, Inspection & Maintenance Services

Portsmouth Public Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia is soliciting proposals under RFP 1116-P-2627 for fire protection systems testing, inspection, and maintenance at 25 school locations, with proposals due November 3, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. (EST), a date revised from October 29, 2026 by Addendum 3. The mandatory pre-proposal meeting and site visits (October 6, 2026) and the written question deadline (October 7, 2026) have passed. The RFP sets a 5% M/WBE goal, and respondents must submit M/WBE forms. Under Form B, a bid that does not meet the goal must earn at least 50 good-faith-effort points to be responsive.

Eligibility filters include a Class A Virginia Contractor's license with specified fire protection classifications and a staffed local office within a 40-mile radius of Portsmouth with 24/7 emergency service availability. Bidders must return a completed Virginia Code 22.1-296.1 employee background certification with the bid, or the bid is deemed non-responsive. Bidders must also identify SCC registration status, and an entity that omits this information receives no award absent a waiver.

Scope covers fire alarm testing and inspection per NFPA 72, sprinkler systems per NFPA 25, portable extinguishers per NFPA 10, kitchen hood systems per NFPA 17A, and emergency lighting per NFPA 101, with fire pump testing included. Backflow prevention is a separate Portsmouth Public Schools contract. Pricing covers testing and inspection only, while parts, repairs, and maintenance are quoted separately for approval. Staffing requires at least 15 technicians with a minimum of five years' experience, including at least two NICET-certified personnel at the highest level in Fire Alarm Protection. Deliverables include 16 hours of annual training and quarterly inventory updates in Excel to the Mechanical Systems Coordinator. Portsmouth prefers the FireLite System for any fire alarm installations.

The term runs from award through December 31, 2028, with three one-year renewal options. Renewal price increases are capped at the percentage change in the CPI-W Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers category, not to exceed 5%. Addendum 1 accepts multi-year proposals that include budgeted panel and system replacements, and a single comprehensive proposal may result in one purchase order for annual inspections. The RFP does not name an estimated contract value or incumbent. A prior version, RFP 1113-P-2526, resulted in "No Award."

Evaluation weights are qualifications, experience, and background at 40%, specific methodology and work plan at 30%, and price at 30%. Submissions go to the Procurement Office at 801 Crawford Street, 3rd Floor, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704, with questions to (757) 393-8261 or purchasing@portsk12.com.